Backup — original pdf

Backup

RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Austin Travis County Public Health Commission Recommendation Number: [YYYYMMDD-XXX] (XXX is the agenda item number): Sexual Health Funding Preservation Date of Approval: Recommendation: This recommendation seeks to stabilize long-term funding sources to address sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the Austin/Travis County area through prevention, testing, linkage to care, treatment, retention, and supportive services. This recommendation directly addresses priorities outlined by Austin/Travis County as a Fast-Track City to end urban HIV epidemics, including goals to reach 95% of people living with HIV knowing their status, 95% are on treatment, and 95% maintain viral suppression by 2030. Description of Recommendation to Council: WHEREAS gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV infections are reportable conditions to Austin Public Health (APH), WHEREAS APH provides core public health services not covered by other STI/HIV service providers, WHEREAS there is an overburdened demand for STI/HIV testing and treatment in Austin/Travis County for local service providers, WHEREAS trends for congenital syphilis cases have increased across Texas, leading to preventable infant illness and death, WHEREAS gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis co-infections are more common in people living with HIV and those at highest risk of acquiring HIV, WHEREAS STI/HIV incidence rates are consistently higher in Black and Hispanic people compared with White people, WHEREAS STI/HIV incidence rates are higher in men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women compared with their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts, WHEREAS HIV and syphilis rates have stabilized or declined in MSM and transgender subgroups but increased among cisgender women, WHEREAS investing in STI/HIV prevention efforts is more cost-effective than treatment, WHEREAS APH’s funding for STI/HIV programs is largely grant-reliant, and Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS)/Public Health Follow-up (PHFU) and HIV Surveillance are completely reliant on grant funding, WHEREAS federal budget negotiations demonstrate a shift in funding priorities and potential loss of STI/HIV funding, WHEREAS federal directives have threatened or already removed targeted approaches that serve people most disproportionately impacted by HIV, WHEREAS STI/HIV community partners are experiencing financial setbacks due to loss of funding and changing federal initiatives, WHEREAS vulnerable populations are at-risk for worse health outcomes with loss of funding, WHEREAS loss of grant funding for DIS/PHFU and HIV Surveillance would affect partner investigations, handling outbreaks, and community health data, WHEREAS any reduction to STI/HIV funding would negatively impact the Austin/Travis County community. Rationale: NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Austin Travis County Public Health Commission recommends that Austin City Council: 1. Increase the APH annual budget by $3 million in general funds for the discretionary use of APH to direct towards core service programs affected by loss of grant funding. 2. Ensure DIS/PHFU and Surveillance core services are always included in the annual APH budget, regardless of funding sources. 3. Direct programs to follow health trends as supported by evidence-based data to address health disparities. Motioned By: Seconded By: Vote: (Add the vote number here, even if unanimous) Example: 8-0 For: (For this and the below sections, list commissioner names in alphabetical order, starting with officers. If none, put “None.”) Against: Abstain: Off the dais: Absent: Attest: __________________________________ (Staff or commissioner can sign)